Visit the land of royals, the heart of power in medieval India – see the forts, palaces and get intrigued by the stories of valour, courage, love &, betrayal which are associated with these majestic buildings. Your tour include visits to The Imperial Delhi - modern & yet traditional by heart, Agra – the town of eternal Taj and Jaipur – the Pink city slowly growing into a multi-cultured metro city. End the tour with a stay at Patan Mahal in the Aravali hills – a royal retreat surrounded by the country side.
Your tour starts on:
Day 1 Sun Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel Park Plaza for 02 nights.
Delhi: The capital city of modern India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in Delhi - age-old monuments stand check by jowl with ultra modern hi-rise buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for centuries. Today old and new city combine to present a harmonious whole offering the traveller, elegant shops, broad laburnum lined avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colourful bazaars.
Optional: Possible visit to Nizamuddin slum dwellers to see the initiative taken by Project Armaan to support children of Nizammudin slums dwellers. It aims to remove every rag picker child from trash and help in their Grooming, schooling & vocational training.
Evening formal introduction to your Tour Manager over dinner.
Overnight stay.
Day 2 Mon Delhi sightseeing
Today combined sightseeing of Old & New Delhi.
In Old Delhi see the Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India. Spend some time in Chandni Chowk to savour the ambience of a crowded oriental bazaar & drive past the Red Fort.
In New Delhi visit the Bangla Saheb Sikh temple, India Gate (memorial to the India army soldiers who died in the World War), drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy's residence) and the parliament House. Towards the end visit 12th century 230 feet high Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234 ft.
Overnight stay.
Day 3 Tue Delhi – Agra
Today morning drive to Agra. 205 kms (125 miles) & 4:30 hours drive. On arrival check in at hotel Rajmahal for 01 night.
Afternoon sightseeing of Agra. Visit the Agra Fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces. Shah Jahan spent years of confinement at the hands of his son Aurangzeb, looking wistfully at the Taj Mahal from the Fort. Later visit the world famous Taj Mahal for a sunset visit. This marble wonder was built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 years to complete this 'Love Poem in Marble'. (Friday closed). .
Overnight stay.
Day 4 Wed Agra- Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. 221 kms (137 miles) & 5:30 hours drive.
Located 40 kms from Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.
Enjoy hot lunch in Bharatpur after visit of Fatehpur Sikri. Post lunch continue the drive to Jaipur. On arrival check in at hotel Holiday Inn for 02 nights.
Optional: Late afternoon possible visit to BMVSS – the NGO behind famous prosthesis limb known as ‘Jaipur Foot’. Acknowledged worldwide as unmatchable social revolution and recognized in ‘Time’ magazine as one of world’s greatest inventions
Overnight stay.
Day 5 Thurs Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amer Fort.Amer is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals.
Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period.
Afternoon city tour of the pink city of Jaipur.
Visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers.
The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Also drive past Hawa Mahal which is known for its impressive façade.
Overnight stay
Day 6 Fri Jaipur – Sikar
Today morning drive to Sikar. 123 kms (76 miles) & 3 hours drive. On arrival check in at Patan Mahal for 01 night.
The Patan Mahal takes you back to a world that doesn’t exist anywhere else any longer. As you settle into your luxurious room or wander the grounds, time seems to slow down and days seem a lot longer. The 800-year-old fort on the hill is a strenuous trek, and the ruins of the Badal Mahal palace the perfect place to enjoy a quiet lunch. The farming area of the house is full of surprises for the nature lover. The step well, or baori, is a uniquely North Indian phenomenon and there’s one close by.
Afternoon take a walk around the local village. You will see potters (pottery is closed during monsoon) village, also see Rajasthani men and women busy making bangles out of lac. Interact with the locals to get the flavor of typical Indian village.
To make your last night special, evening enjoy a cultural music & dance performance by the local artists. Guests are welcome to match their steps with the local dancers. This is followed by farewell dinner.
Overnight stay.
Day 7 Sat Sikar – Delhi & leave Delhi
Today early morning drive straight to Delhi airport, 180 kms (111 miles) & 4 hours drive, to board your return / onward flight and bid farewell to “the land of Maharjas”.
Accommodation will be provided at above mentioned or similar hotels everywhere.
Check-in / out time is 12 noon at all the hotels.
IMPORTANT - Kindly note that names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels and it is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey such confirmation to you. In the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not becoming available we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel.
THE LAND OF MAHARAJAS TOUR INCLUDES
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC SERVICES:-
• Accommodation – Sharing twin bedded room for a total of 06 nights.
• Meals - Room with daily breakfast & dinner plus one lunch at Bharatpur.
• Transport - Services using air-conditioned vehicle as per size of group.
• Assistance & Porterages - Meeting and assistance on arrival/departure at airports, hotels by le passage to india __.representative and porterages at, airport for 01 standard baggage per person included.
• Guide –English speaking accompanying escort throughout.
• Elephant Ride or Jeep Drive at Amer Fort in Jaipur.
• Cultural music & dance show in Patan Mahal on the last night.
• All presently applicable taxes on transport and hotel accommodation.
RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE:-
• Expenses of personal nature such as table drinks, telephone calls, laundry, camera fees still or video, __.tips to drivers, local guides, and hotel staff.
• Any insurance cover against mishap or evacuation.
• Entrance to monuments (supplement charge - £40 per person)
• Visa
• Any increase in taxes
• International Flights
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES:
All tours begin with arrival in Delhi on Sundays
Group
Departure Date
Price (per person)
Group 01
15 January 2012
£375*
Group 02
12 February 2012
£375*
Group 03
11 March 2012
£375*
Group 04
08 April 2012
£339*
Group 05
19 August 2012
£339*
Group 06
16 September 2012
£339*
Group 07
14 October 2012
£395*
Group 08
11 November 2012
£395*
Group 09
09 December 2012
£395*
*Price does not include flights
To book your India Tour please call us today on 0208 206 3635 or contact us online.
Citibond Travel is an established and now leading online Travel Agency with offices in London and Leicester specialising in Cheap Flights, Hotel Accomodation, Package Holidays, Tailor-Made holidays, Honeymoon Packages, Car Hire, Transfers & Insurance.
